In Contention

WEEKLY WRAP: ‘Slumdog,’ Sundance, Santa Barbara

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It slipped my mind to do this yesterday, but here’s the week that was:

• “Slumdog Millionaire” steamrolled through the week’s precursors, taking the Producers Guild Award…

• … before landing top honours at the SAG Awards, which we live-blogged for your pleasure.

• Still on “Slumdog,” a potential smear campaign against the film was duly foiled.

• No surprise, then, that this week’s Off the Carpet column declared the race pretty much over.

• The Academy settled “The Reader” producers’ dilemma by breaking its ludicrous “three-nominee” rule.

• Meanwhile, some are wondering whether Harvey Weinstein’s tactics could harm the film’s chances, particularly in the Best Actress race.

• Away from the Oscar race, gritty urban drama “Push” cleaned up at Sundance.

• The Santa Barbara fest carried on, with an interesting screenwriters’ forum among the highlights.

• Still at Santa Barbara, Danny Boyle, Kate Winslet and this year’s six Virtuoso stars were among those celebrated.

• Could “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” really go 0-for-13 on Oscar night?

• Finally, rounding off a very “Slumdog”-flavoured week, be sure to check out our interview with the film’s brilliant craftsmen.